Allison Stephen is an Edmonton-based writer.

Edmonton

From electronic to country to Y2K icons, here are nine concerts we can't wait to see in Edmonton this April.

9 concerts to check out in Edmonton this April

The Arts Club Theatre Company production of Kimberly Akimbo runs from April 2 to May 3, 2026, at the Stanley BFL CANADA Stage. Directed by Arts Club Theatre Company Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran, this Tony Award–winning musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori is a heartfelt and hilarious coming-of-age story that celebrates resilience, hope, and humour. On the eve of her 16th birthday, Kimberly Levaco (Lisa Horner) is navigating all the usual challenges of a typical teenager—first crushes, family drama, and a new school. She just also happens to look like she’s 72 years old. Despite her rare genetic condition, Kimberly is determined to make the best of her fresh start. As she struggles with a chaotic home life, the uncertainties of new friendships, and a budding romance, Kimberly decides to make the most of the time she has and embarks on a great adventure to find the happiness she craves. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score, Kimberly Akimbo blends sharp wit with profound heart. Lindsay-Abaire’s quick-witted storytelling paired with Tesori’s catchy and emotionally rich score create a memorable musical that is both laugh-out-loud funny and quietly moving. The production begins at the Stanley BFL CANADA Stage on April 2 and runs until May 3, with opening night on April 8. Tickets from $29. Buy now at ArtsClub.com or through the Box Office Call Centre at 604.687.1644. Kimberly Akimbo is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.www.mtishows.com SPECIAL PERFORMANCES  Sunday Salon Performance – Sun, April 12, 2 PM  Talkback Tuesday Performance – Tue, April 21, 7 PM  VocalEye Performances – Sun, April 26, 2 PM &amp; Fri, May 1, 7:30 PM CASTSarah Cantuba (Teresa), Angella Cody (Delia), Steffanie Davis (Pattie Levaco), Josh Epstein (Buddy Levaco), Lisa Horner (Kimberly Levaco), Joaquín Little (Martin), James Ross (Aaron), Jason Sakaki (Seth), Madeleine Suddaby (Aunt Debra) MUSICIANSCaitlin Hayes (Leader/Keyboard 1), Clare Wyatt (Associate Music Director/Keyboard 2), Monica Sumulong Dumas (Bass), Peter Serravalle (Guitar), Colin Parker (Drums), Finn Manniche (Cello), Kevin Woo (Reeds) CREATIVEAshlie Corcoran (Director), Shelley Stewart Hunt (Choreographer), Caitlin Hayes (Musical Director), Pam Johnson (Set Designer), Stephanie Kong (Costume Designer), Itai Erdal (Lighting Designer), Kate De Lorme (Sound Designer), Lisa Goebel (Intimacy Director), Geoff Jones (Stage Manager), Peter Jotkus (Assistant Stage Manager)

The TONY Award-Winning Musical about Growing Up and Living Boldly

Kimberly Akimbo

Stanley BFL CANADA Stage

Join prominent Canadian writers and leaders in the arts, business, and society for a national conversation on connection.Canadian writers create the connective tissue that bonds us — their insights inform our thinking on the issues that shape culture and their voices represent us to the world abroad. Authors tell stories of who we are and who we might become. Through the shared heritage of their books and the deep thinking that informs them, writers bring complexity and nuance to a time that needs them. Yet, the work of building connection is fraught with questions about how community can be held together when individuals hold disparate views, and misinformation and misunderstanding are weaponized to sow discord.With 50 years of supporting writers as the truth-tellers of our world, Writers’ Trust of Canada believes that we need writers to help us navigate the future. Writers’ Trust beneficiaries of 50 years of literary programming will bring their ideas to stages and communities across the country with the goal of helping us see that, despite how it can feel in tumultuous times, there is more that connects us than divides us.The Vancouver event features the following authors:Kamal Al-Solaylee<ul><li>2017 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing winner</li><li>2012 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction winner</li></ul>Elizabeth Hay<ul><li>2018 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction winner</li><li>2015 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize finalist</li><li>2002 Writers’ Trust Engel Findley Award winner</li><li>1997 Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize finalist</li></ul>Eden Robinson<ul><li>2017 WT Fellowship winner</li><li>2016 Writers’ Trust Engel Findley Award winner</li></ul>

Join award-winning authors Kamal Al-Solaylee, Elizabeth Hay, and Eden Robinson for a 50th Anniversary Event for Writers’ Trust of Canada.

Conversations in Trust Vancouver: Canadian Authors Make Sense of Our World

Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre, Arts Club Theatre Company

La Bohème has FIVE performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver Vancouver Opera’s blockbuster 2025-2026 season culminates in April and May with five performances of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved La Bohème at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. One of opera’s most cherished works, La Bohème’s passion, heartbreak, and soaring melodies will close the season on an unforgettable high note, both artistically and at the box office. As of today, La Bohème is the fastest selling show in VO history, on pace to sell out all five performances! Set in the Latin Quarter of Paris, La Bohème follows a group of young artists struggling to survive, create, and fall in love. At its heart is the tender and tragic romance between the poet Rodolfo and the ailing seamstress Mimì, a simple story that has resonated since its 1896 premiere and directly inspired more recent works like the Broadway musical RENT. From the playful camaraderie of bohemian life to the devastating beauty of its final act, Puccini’s score bursts with some of the most recognizable and emotionally resonant music ever written, conducted here by Vancouver Opera’s Music Director Emeritus, Maestro Jonathan Darlington, with an all-star cast steered by director Brenna Corner. A true and transcendent masterpiece, La Bohème’s deeply human story, sweeping arias, intimate duets, and vivid orchestration continues to captivate seasoned opera lovers, while arguably offering the best and most memorable experience for first-time attendees. Want to open someone’s heart to opera? La Bohème can convince the unsure, and convert even the staunchest detractors. The principal cast for La Bohème includes Jonelle Sills as Mimì (April 25, April 30, May 2), alternating with Lucia Cesaroni (April 26, May 3), Matthew White (April 25, April 30, May 2) as Rodolfo, alternating with Zachary Rioux (April 26, May 3), Gregory Dahl as Marcello, Lara Ciekiewicz as Musetta, Alex Halliday as Colline, Justin Welsh as Schaunard, and Thomas Goerz as Benoit/Alcindoro. They are joined by members of the Vancouver Opera Chorus. Tickets are on sale now for La Bohème and are selling fast. Subscriptions for the 2026-2027 season are also available. For more information and to subscribe, please visit vancouveropera.ca.

Vancouver Opera presents Puccini’s Cherished Masterpiece La Bohème

Puccini’s beloved La Bohème

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

XUUYA: Raven Brings the Light returns for another year, and early bird tickets are now live! A unique fundraising evening of Indigenous art, music, food, and performance in a lively, after-hours celebration in the heart of Downtown Vancouver.Enjoy curated tastings, powerful performances, and creative moments that celebrate both traditional and contemporary Indigenous expression!EVENT HIGHLIGHTS • Captivating 2Spirit drag performances by Vancouver favourites Xana and Cheryl Trade • Emceed by Squamish comedian Keith Nahanee • Live music by The Thomson Band • Hip-hop performance by Mandy Nahanee-Campbell (Lady Sinncere) • Curated silent auction featuring experiences, travel, and artworks • Tastings by NK’MIP Cellars and Locality Brewing • Indigenous hors d'œuvres SPONSORED BY Fasken • Genus Capital Management • McCarthy Properties • Pedersen's • NK'MIP Cellars • Locality Brewing

A vibrant, after-hours fundraising celebration of Indigenous art, music, food, and performance in one of Vancouver’s cultural gems.

9 concerts to check out in Edmonton this April

Wheatus

The Sheepdogs

NOBRO